Preparing for future energy needs

NIPSCOís energy efficiency programs, commitment to safeguarding the environment, focus on improving service reliability and customer satisfaction, and ongoing investments in the community continue to have a positive impact on the region.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS

NIPSCO strives to help customers make smart energy choices and, with the range of energy efficiency programs currently offered by the company, customers can even receive incentives to use energy wisely. One such program óthe EnergyHarvest appliance rebate programóhas successfully provided rebates to customers who purchased more than 6,000 energy-efficient natural gas appliances since the program began in early 2008. Low-flow water fixtures have been installed in nearly 13,000 customer homes as part of a pilot program to improve the energy efficiency for multi-family residents across the companyís service territory.

Electric customers will soon benefit from energy efficiency programs, as NIPSCO is in the process of expanding its existing natural gas energy efficiency programs to include electric customers as well. Nick Meyer, communications manager at NIPSCO says, ìThe programs that we are proposing have been tested and implemented by other utilities across the country, and have shown proven results in helping customers to reduce energy consumption and achieve measurable savings on their electric bills. Moreover, these new electric programs will play an important role in reducing both the need for future generation resources and the carbon footprint of NIPSCO and its customers.î

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

Green initiatives are at the forefront of todayís global consciousness. NIPSCO has taken a number of steps to help improve energy efficiency, while adding renewable wind energy to its generating capacity. Additionally, NIPSCO has invested $375 million since 2002 towards the installation of state-of-the-art emission control equipment on each of its generating stations, which has resulted in a significant decrease in greenhouse gasses since that time.

Many local environmental initiatives throughout the region have been supported by the utility as well. NIPSCO, as part of the NiSource Charitable Foundation, has given more than $500,000 in grants directed toward local environmental projects in Indiana, like the Shirley Heinze Land Trust, Indiana Dunes Environmental Learning Center, and Grand Kankakee Marsh Restoration Project. NIPSCO also maintains a long-standing relationship with the National Arbor Day Foundation and their Tree Line USA program to support the planting of trees and provide public awareness.

RELIABILITY

For customers, reliable service is critical. Every daily activity is impacted by a power outage. This is precisely why NIPSCO invests a significant amount of time and money in making system improvements, while keeping an eye toward the future energy needs of its customers. ìThe recent addition of the Sugar Creek Electric Generating Station not only modernizes our generation fleet, but it was a vital step forward in meeting the increasing electricity demands of our customers in a safe, reliable and cost-effective manner,î says Meyer. The 535-megawatt facility, located in West Terre Haute, Ind., uses natural gas to operate, and it is considered to be among the most environmentally-sound options for electric generation.

When natural disasters and severe weather cause significant damage and power outages, NIPSCO crews go to work quickly, utilizing every resource available to restore power. NIPSCO makes a considerable investment to prevent power outages. ìForty percent of power outages are caused by trees. As part of our vegetation management program, we spent $12 million trimming trees in 2008 alone. Tree trimming is one of the utilityís largest annual expenses. And, with more than 15,000 miles of gas pipeline, 9,200 miles of electric transmission and distribution lines, and 306,000 utility poles, we have a significant amount of infrastructure to inspect and maintain throughout the year,î added Meyer.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

The importance of customer satisfaction is the foundation of a successful company. ìWeíre always looking to make improvements and strive to meet our customersí needs. Employees in our 24-hour call center receive several months of extensive training in order to answer the wide variety of questions from our customers. We measure our performance and strive to make continuous improvements,î Meyer explains.

NIPSCOís call center has a customer callback system where customers are offered a callback, rather than wait on hold. ìDuring times with particularly high call volumes, customers can leave a callback number, and the automated system will call them back when the next agent is available. They can even call a cell phone,î Meyer says.

In addition to conducting regular customer surveys, NIPSCO also solicits feedback through its Community Advisory Panels. The six panels, across the companyís service territory, meet several times throughout the year. The panels are made up of customers and serve a vital role in keeping the utility tuned into customer concerns.

INVESTMENT IN COMMUNITY

NIPSCO is dedicated to improving the overall quality of life throughout northwest Indiana and their entire service area. ìNIPSCO is committed to helping the 30-county area where our customers and employees live and work,î says Meyer. To this end, NIPSCO has donated $7.3 million over the past five years to a number of organizations in the communities they serve. In addition, their employees donate countless hours volunteering for a variety of local causes.

NIPSCO is also firmly committed to strengthening and growing the region by reinvesting funds in the community for future expansion and development. It is because of this commitment that they invest in the economic development of the region, spending $1 million annually by partnering with communities to attract or support the expansion of new and existing businesses, while helping to create more jobs across the areaóan effort that is especially important in todayís economy.